10 Signs You’re Ready To Leave The Summer Behind And Move Back Into Your College Dorm

During finals week, it seemed as if summer couldn't come sooner. Two and a half months later, I think it's safe to say most college kids are ready to head back to school.

Here are 10 signs you're ready to return to your college for the fall semester.

1. You’re getting bored of your hometown

At this point in the summer, you've surely gotten your fill of all the things that make your hometown unique. While it's our local diners, coffee shops, and beaches we miss the most while we're away at school, going to the same three places is getting old. Not only that, but running into people you graduated with and engaging in ingenuine banter about where you are in your lives is never a good time.

2. You miss your college friends

The bond you create with friends at college is truly remarkable. After 8 months of being at each other's sides 24/7, it is no wonder you are feeling withdrawals. The distances apart and conflicting summer schedules make you want to reunite even more.

3. Craving independence

Let's face it, at school you get to do whatever you want, whenever you want without having to answer to anyone. If you want to go out midnight and not return to your dorm until 5 a.m., absolutely no one is stopping you. The same rules don't necessarily apply at home. Plus, you most likely don't have the luxury of having practically every type of food available to you during every meal.

4. Most laziness is criticized

With no one to tell you otherwise, sleeping until noon or watching Netflix all day is never an issue at school. At home, however, these acts aren't as welcome and are often frowned upon, being criticized for being counterproductive. The only way us college kids can get away with laying around doing nothing all day is if we do it on the beach.

5. You miss your campus/college town

This is the whole reason you chose your college in the first place! Whether it be the beautiful architecture, lush landscaping, or hustle and bustle of pedestrians and traffic, your campus has a certain charm that you surely miss. Above all else, it seems like there is ALWAYS something to do either on campus or in the surrounding town.

6. Having a somewhat regular routine sounds appealing

Even though waking up for an early morning class is never fun, the constant ambiguous schedule of the summer becomes a burden. Between an ever-changing work schedule and mornings, you wake up with no plans at all, having something, anything to fill up your time is looking pretty exciting (even if it includes studying.)

7. You've run out of fun stories to tell

Living on your own, a lot of weird, yet interesting things happen to you. While these make great stories to tell everyone at home, there are only so many variations to tell of the same scenario. You're ready to go back and live those story-telling experiences again, rather than just be a narrator.

8. All of your money is being spent on gas

Having the freedom to drive around your town is one of the simple pleasure in life, but it comes at a cost, literally. Gas prices seem to skyrocket in the summer, and there is no way around it. While most of us are broke all the time at school, at least a majority of our money isn't going to gas during the semester.

9. You and your friends are working too much

Hanging out with your friends from home is a blast! That is if any of you actually find the time to see each other. When you and your friends work all the time but at different points in the day, it almost feels as if you're not even home.

10. Friends aren't as easily accessible

During the semester, it is easy to take for granted the fact that your friends are typically just a short walk around. Sometimes, they're found as close as down the hall or even in your own room. Very minimum traveling is needed to hang out.

10 Things Someone Who Grew Up In A Private School Knows

1. Uniforms

Plaid. The one thing that every private school-goer knows all too well. It was made into jumpers, skirts, shorts, scouts, hair ties, basically anything you could imagine, the school plaid was made into. You had many different options on what to wear on a normal day, but you always dreaded dress uniform day because of skirts and ballet flats. But it made waking up late for school a whole lot easier.

2. New people were a big deal

New people weren't a big thing. Maybe one or two a year to a grade, but after freshman year no one new really showed up, making the new kid a big deal.

3. You've been to school with most of your class since Kindergarten

Most of your graduating class has been together since Kindergarten, maybe even preschool, if your school has it. They've become part of your family, and you can honestly say you've grown up with your best friends.

4. You've had the same teachers over and over

Having the same teacher two or three years in a row isn't a real surprise. They know what you are capable of and push you to do your best.

5. Everyone knows everybody. Especially everyone's business.

Your graduating class doesn't exceed 150. You know everyone in your grade and most likely everyone in the high school. Because of this, gossip spreads like wildfire. So everyone knows what's going on 10 minutes after it happens.

6. Your hair color was a big deal

If it's not a natural hair color, then forget about it. No dyeing your hair hot pink or blue or you could expect a phone call to your parents saying you have to get rid of it ASAP.

7. Your school isn't like "Gossip Girl"

There is no eating off campus for lunch or casually using your cell phone in class. Teachers are more strict and you can't skip class or just walk right off of campus.

8. Sports are a big deal

Your school is the best of the best at most sports. The teams normally go to the state championships. The rest of the school that doesn't play sports attends the games to cheer on the teams.

9. Boys had to be clean-shaven, and hair had to be cut

If you came to school and your hair was not cut or your beard was not shaved, you were written up and made to go in the bathroom and shave or have the head of discipline cut your hair. Basically, if you know you're getting written up for hair, it's best just to check out and go get a hair cut.

10. Free dress days were like a fashion show

Wearing a school uniform every day can really drive you mad. That free dress day once a month is what you lived for. It was basically a fashion show for everyone, except for those upperclassmen who were over everything and just wore sweat pants.

ASU Students Push For A Healthier Dining Hall To Counter 'Freshman 15' Fears

Arizona State University students are pushing for change within the downtown Phoenix dining hall as they strive to avoid the infamous freshman 15.

The downtown Phoenix campus offers fewer dining options than the Tempe campus and has a less appetizing dining hall. The freshman 15 is a common scare among students living in the dorms, who are often freshman.

The freshman 15 is defined as a student who gains 15 pounds or more in their first year of college. Studies prove the average freshman does not exercise the right amount, is sleep deprived, has a poor diet, increases their stress level, alcohol consumption, and fatty food intake, which is most likely causing their weight gain.

Lauren Hernandez

Daniella Rudoy, a journalism major and fitness instructor at the SDFC, relived her freshman year as she provided tips for incoming freshman.

"There are a lot of workouts you can do in your dorm room as long as you have access to YouTube or a floor. You can go on a run, a walk, or do exercises that do not require equipment," Rudoy said in support of college fitness.

Rudoy said that mental health, fitness, and nutrition all correlate with one another.

"I follow the saying abs are made in the kitchen. So if you are working out day and night, but eating a giant pizza and chicken wings with a pack of beer when you come home you aren't doing yourself much good," Rudoy said.

Lauren Hernandez

The main cause for weight gain is increased alcohol consumption. 80 percent of college students drink and this includes binge drinking, which is unhealthy for many reasons.

Students who do not drink are most likely gaining weight because of their exposure to an all-you-can-eat dining hall. The downtown Phoenix campus offers a salad bar as their only consistent healthy option for students, therefore students are left eating hamburgers, fries, and pizza.

"I haven't been to the dining hall this semester. Last semester, I went because I had no other options. I am a vegetarian and the dining hall is not accommodating to those with allergies or food restrictions. I find it very difficult to find vegetarian options," Lexi Varrato, a journalism major said.

Lauren Hernandez

Varrato explained that she believes the freshman 15 is "100 percent real" and that incoming freshman should research their meal plans and ask their school how their dietary restrictions will be accommodated before purchasing a non-refundable meal plan.

Megan Tretter, a nursing major at Seattle University emphasized that not every dining hall is like ASU's and that the freshman 15 is "definitely not a problem" at her school.

"I always eat healthy at my dining hall. There are a lot of good and healthy options at Seattle University. I usually go to the smoothie line in the morning, have a salad for lunch, and make myself an acai bowl after work with avocado toast in our floor's kitchen," Tretter said in support of her school's strive for healthy options.

College students across the United States have healthier dining options than ASU, but many colleges still face the same problems that students here are facing.

Tara Shultz, a journalism major at ASU believes she has avoided the "very real" freshman 15 by living at home.

"I believe the freshman 15 targets dorm residence and first-year students who do not live at home as they do not have their parents as a guide and are forced to eat at a dining hall that only serves fatty foods," Shultz emphasized.

Lauren Hernandez

The downtown Phoenix campus offers students access to the SDFC, YMCA, and Taylor Place gym, where students can take group fitness classes, run on a track, play basketball, or swim. Alternative options for students are purchasing a membership at Orangetheory or EOS Fitness.

Most students agreed with journalism major Vanessa Gonzalez that they have little time to work out due to their workload, but many students like Varrato, Tretter, and Rudoy explained that they try to work out every day as it is a stress reliever and it enriches their mental health.

Steve Fiorentino, the owner of Powered Up Nutrition encourages college students to learn what they are putting in their bodies.

"I think it starts with nutrition. Students believe they can outwork a bad diet and I believe that is their number one mistake. My advice is to stop eating fast foods and start eating whole and healthy foods along with supplements," Fiorentino stated.

The freshman 15 is an avoidable curse, but many students will continue to follow into its trap. The campus dining hall is not always the reason to blame as students have the option to decrease their meal plans, become active, and make healthy choices!